Many Voices, One Word - My first Priesthood Retreat
I’m just retuning from my very first priesthood retreat held this past week. I cannot give the Lord enough thanks for the many graces received during this time set aside to be together with my brother priests and to be refreshed by Lord through prayer and the direction of our Retreat Master.
It is always appropriate to name and share graces after retreat…so:
Grace #1: Our Retreat Master, Fr. Ron Rieder, OFM. Cap., a tremendous priest of 47 years was THE MESSAGE!! His love for the priesthood and his particular walk in it, with tales of trial and glory, was absolutely perfect for a freshman class priest needing to hear about faithfulness “to the end” (cf. John 13:1).
Grace #2: This was the first time to be together with a majority of the priests of our diocese since our ordination, June 13th. The concelebration of all the priests with Bp. Ricard was incredibly powerful for me. Hearing the words of the epiclesis (the calling of the Holy Spirit), the whispers of the Words of Institution filling the one upper room with the One Word, Jesus Christ. From great distances — Perry to Perdido — the mission and communion that we share across the miles, in the one priesthood of Jesus Christ, was there!
Grace #3: Waiting anxiously for my return to Good Shepherd to write this edition of the PT Year of the Priest Blog!!! Truly, this retreat was a breath of fresh air; literally because we were near the Gulf of Mexico, spiritually because of the precious commodity of time surrendered to the Lord for those days (may each of our days include the latter).
Priesthood Retreat 2009, in this Year for Priests, was great, but I look forward to the next one and the times in between to be together with my brother priests to unite our voices to the One Word,“This is my body…This is my blood," the Mystery of Faith!
Father Will Ganci, October 26, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
The View from the Altar
When I look out into the congregation on Sunday, waiting for them to settle in their seats for the homily, I see a lot more than just faces in a crowd. I see a community of faith that has persevered through many trials and difficulties. I see their joy, and I see their pain. I see their peace, and I see their uneasiness. I see the broken body that is the mystical body of Christ. I see my home.
Although it has only been three months and I still feel like a newbie, I am beginning to grasp my parish ever closer to my heart. Every Mass, every confession, every trip to the hospital, draws me into ever closer intimacy with my parish. It is not only the good times but the struggles that bring me deeper into parish life. It is in the conflicts, the issues that arise, that I am given to opportunity to grow deeper in relationship with those I minister to.
I have come to understand that Hurricane Ivan and Dennis forever changed this community of faith. There was and still is residual pain and suffering still lingering in the community, but this is overpowered by the great unity that was sparked in those troubling times. I have come to understand and appreciate the culture of the community of Gulf Breeze.
When I look out into the congregation, I don't see parents, retired elderly, small children, young families. I see the family that has accepted me into their home. I see a people thirsting for the word of God to come alive in their hearts and lives. I see the Kingdom of God being made manifest before my eyes.
Although it has only been three months and I still feel like a newbie, I am beginning to grasp my parish ever closer to my heart. Every Mass, every confession, every trip to the hospital, draws me into ever closer intimacy with my parish. It is not only the good times but the struggles that bring me deeper into parish life. It is in the conflicts, the issues that arise, that I am given to opportunity to grow deeper in relationship with those I minister to.
I have come to understand that Hurricane Ivan and Dennis forever changed this community of faith. There was and still is residual pain and suffering still lingering in the community, but this is overpowered by the great unity that was sparked in those troubling times. I have come to understand and appreciate the culture of the community of Gulf Breeze.
When I look out into the congregation, I don't see parents, retired elderly, small children, young families. I see the family that has accepted me into their home. I see a people thirsting for the word of God to come alive in their hearts and lives. I see the Kingdom of God being made manifest before my eyes.
Monday, October 5, 2009
A Lovely Smorgasbord: Good Shepherd Staff Meetings
Our staff meetings at Good Shepherd are a lovely smorgasbord, indeed! However, these meetings are not too Swedish as the origins of the word might lead one to think.
COURSE #1: We meet every Thursday at 12:00. The meeting begins with quiet prayer together—inviting the Good Shepherd to gather us and lead our discussion. Then we reflect on the upcoming weekend’s readings; each are voluntarily read by a staff member. Then we share a thought or word that struck us from the scriptures. Various reflection questions are put before us to stimulate application of God’s word in our lives and the life of our parish. We offer special intentions for various needs and then pray a closing prayer followed by…
COURSE #2: The blessing of the FOOD!...which is provided by a member of the staff, including us priests, each week. You can’t beat this kind of staff meeting—very Catholic! Eat, drink, discuss, etc. and still accomplish what needs to be done in a staff meeting.
This past Thursday’s meeting fell on the Feast of St. Thérèse, the Little Flower. Of course, this great saint was from France. In her honor, we enjoyed a very tasty French meal (no French champagne at noontime), meanwhile we pummeled through our agenda in the usual good spirit and concluded almost simultaneously with the last ounce of the delectable French dish served!
What great experiences for this newly ordained priest in this Year for Priests! Will staff meetings always be like this? What staff meeting can compare with our great staff meeting? A Lovely smorgasbord, indeed!
Father Will Ganci
COURSE #1: We meet every Thursday at 12:00. The meeting begins with quiet prayer together—inviting the Good Shepherd to gather us and lead our discussion. Then we reflect on the upcoming weekend’s readings; each are voluntarily read by a staff member. Then we share a thought or word that struck us from the scriptures. Various reflection questions are put before us to stimulate application of God’s word in our lives and the life of our parish. We offer special intentions for various needs and then pray a closing prayer followed by…
COURSE #2: The blessing of the FOOD!...which is provided by a member of the staff, including us priests, each week. You can’t beat this kind of staff meeting—very Catholic! Eat, drink, discuss, etc. and still accomplish what needs to be done in a staff meeting.
This past Thursday’s meeting fell on the Feast of St. Thérèse, the Little Flower. Of course, this great saint was from France. In her honor, we enjoyed a very tasty French meal (no French champagne at noontime), meanwhile we pummeled through our agenda in the usual good spirit and concluded almost simultaneously with the last ounce of the delectable French dish served!
What great experiences for this newly ordained priest in this Year for Priests! Will staff meetings always be like this? What staff meeting can compare with our great staff meeting? A Lovely smorgasbord, indeed!
Father Will Ganci
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